F1 – 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix: Start time, Sprint schedule, and how to watch in the UK

Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace is the site for the third weekend of an F1 triple-header, as well as the final Sprint weekend of 2023. So, here is the start time, plus other vital info, for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen took a record-breaking sixteenth victory of the season last time out in Mexico. The reigning World Champion surpassed his previous record of 15 wins in a single campaign thanks to another comfortable triumph.

Unfortunately, though, Sergio Perez lost out in dramatic fashion at his home race. He retired after a turn-one collision with Charles Leclerc, leaving the Mexican’s P2 in the driver’s standings vulnerable to Lewis Hamilton.

In fact, Hamilton significantly closed the gap on the Red Bull driver via a strong second place in Mexico. Leclerc rounded out the podium at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Elsewhere, Lando Norris produced a stunning drive to finish fifth after starting P17. Daniel Ricciardo also impressed, qualifying P4 in the AlphaTauri then finishing seventh. The Constructors’ standings look a lot tighter throughout the field as a result.

READ – Mexican GP: Daniel Ricciardo pulls off massive P7 result – both for him and AlphaTauri

Which brings us to the iconic Interlagos. Last year, George Russell took Mercedes’ only win of 2022 here. How desperately the Silver Arrows would like a repeat of this, not least to solidify P2 in the Team standings.

As it is a Sprint weekend, there are plenty of points up for grabs – but what time does the Brazilian Grand Prix start?

Brazilian Grand Prix: UK Start time

As has been the case during the last few rounds, the weekend at Interlagos purely takes place in the afternoon/evening for UK viewers.

We start on Friday 3 November, where Practice 1 is at 2:30pm. A little later, Qualifying for the GP is at 6pm British time.

Then, on Saturday 4 November, attention turns to the sixth and final Sprint of the season. The Sprint Shootout sets the grid, starting at 2pm, after which the short-format race begins at 6:30pm.

The Brazilian Grand Prix follows on Sunday 5 November, with a UK start time of 5pm.

How can I watch the Brazilian Grand Prix in the UK?

All live coverage, as ever, comes courtesy of Sky Sports. This therefore requires you to have Sky TV and the relevant sports package in order to have access to their channels. This does come at a cost, with their latest deals available here.

Alternatively, NOWTV offers access to Sky Sports by paying for monthly or 24-hour passes. You can then use NOW to watch across a range of devices.

Sky’s coverage of Round 21 begins with Practice 1, which is solely on their designated F1 channel. Friday’s qualifying for Sunday’s GP is on both Sky Sports Main Event and F1, however.

Due to clashes with other sports, the entirety of “Sprint Saturday” is on Sky F1. This is the same case for the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Sunday’s coverage on Sky Sports F1 from 3:30pm.

As mentioned earlier, this is the final Sprint round of 2023. So, who has reigned supreme throughout each of the previous five Sprint weekends? We’re sure the answer will not shock you.

Max Verstappen – the Sprint king of 2023

The 2023 World Driver’s Champion has been dominant during Sprint Saturdays this year as well. Verstappen has won three of the five Sprint Races held thus far in 2023 – Austria, Belgium, and the US.

In addition, the Dutchman has not even finished outside of the Top 3 in short-distance races this campaign.

Sergio Perez won the first Sprint of 2023, taking the chequered flag in Azerbaijan. McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri is, impressively, the only other victorious Sprint racer on the 2023 grid, winning in Qatar.

Brazil has a track record as a Sprint venue, hosting the format for the third successive year. In the two previous editions, fans have enjoyed some good battles. So, let’s hope that we get an exciting Sprint more akin to Qatar’s event, rather than the procession in Austin two weeks ago.

But the real points are scored on Sunday; so, make sure to tune in for the 5pm start time of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Featured image credit: Getty